Pam Bondi’s firing doesn’t shake Thomas Massie, as he’s focused on the bigger picture: ‘I hope the next AG will…’
A huge win for Massie.
President Donald Trump has fired Pam Bondi as Attorney General, a move that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) openly supported, immediately pivoting to his ongoing push for the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. This development, announced on April 2, 2026, sees Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stepping into the role in an acting capacity.
Massie didn’t waste any time, taking to X, to poll his followers about the decision, showcasing his clear priorities. “I support Trump firing Pam Bondi. Do you?” Massie asked his audience, according to The Hill. He then followed up with a strong statement, revealing his hopes for what comes next. “I hope the next AG will release all the Epstein files according to the law and follow up with investigations, prosecutions, and arrests,” he added.
The X poll itself was pretty telling, offering two simple choices: “He was right to fire her” or “he should have kept her.” Within just an hour, nearly 6,500 votes poured in, with the vast majority of respondents agreeing that Trump made the right call by letting Bondi go from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
It’s clear that Massie’s base, at least, is aligned with his perspective on the matter
Massie has been a vocal proponent for transparency concerning the Epstein investigation for a while now. He’s actually one of the lead lawmakers behind the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which he co-authored with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
This act was designed to compel the Justice Department to release unredacted files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. It’s a significant piece of legislation, aiming to bring long-awaited clarity to a case shrouded in mystery and public concern.
Throughout Bondi’s tenure as Attorney General, Massie regularly criticized her department’s handling of these crucial disclosures. He didn’t pull any punches, accusing her of engaging in a cover-up and failing to adequately comply with the law.
His specific grievances included her department flouting deadlines, withholding and over-redacting documents, and even exposing the identities of victims. These are serious allegations, and Massie has been consistent in bringing them to the forefront.
Massie’s focus is squarely on accountability and transparency regarding the Epstein case
We saw a particularly tense exchange back in February during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Massie, ever the direct one, suggested that the DOJ only unredacted the email of someone “likely incriminated” in the documents because the department had been caught “red-handed.” It was a bold accusation, implying a deliberate attempt to conceal information until pressured.
Bondi, naturally, didn’t take these criticisms lying down. She fired back at the Kentucky Republican, calling him a “failed politician” and accusing him of having “Trump derangement syndrome.” She also pressed him on why lawmakers hadn’t focused on the Epstein probe under prior administrations, trying to shift the focus to the historical context of the alleged cover-up.
Massie, however, was quick to reiterate his stance, connecting the current situation to a broader historical problem. “You don’t have to go back to Biden. Let’s go back to Obama, let’s go back to George Bush,” Massie responded, directly addressing Bondi’s attempt to deflect.
He then added, “This cover-up spans decades, and you are responsible for this portion of it.” His point was clear: regardless of previous administrations, he believed Bondi’s department was responsible for the current state of affairs regarding the file releases.
It’s important to note that Bondi’s exit isn’t expected to shield her from a planned deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. In fact, the committee voted to subpoena her in March over the Epstein files, indicating that her accountability journey isn’t over just because she’s left her role.
Rep. Robert Garcia (Calif.), the top Democrat on the panel, made this point very clear in a statement. “She will not escape accountability and remains legally obligated to appear before our Committee under oath,” Garcia said. He emphasized that she “must answer for her mishandling of the Epstein files and the special treatment she has given Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
